Hermione Granger and The Burning Egg

Chapter 3

After trying to forget the events of the previous week Hermione was uncharacteristically nervous on her first day of classes. She'd managed to cram her lectures and tutorials into just three days so that she was free to work part-time at the ministry on the other two. The internship role she'd accepted with the department for the regulation and control of magical creatures wasn't going to help her change the world. She was the lowest person on the bottom rung, but it would give her valuable insight into exactly how the system worked.

She'd just finished her Introduction to Magical Law lecture and was walking toward her legal writing tutorial when she saw Luna Lovegood and Draco Malfoy chatting in front of one of the classrooms. Luna had been a constant source of joy and comfort for Hermione over the past year. Her ability to see the light in every situation was such a blessing after the trauma of the war. Especially when Harry and Ron had both decided to forgo their last year of schooling to start with the Auror training program straight away.

That said in the entire year they spent together never had Luna once mentioned Draco Malfoy. Hermione had avoided talking about the events that happened at Malfoy Manor during the war. She knew in theory that Draco and Luna must have encountered each other during Luna's imprisonment but seeing them like this was a shock. Whilst Draco still looked weathered and tired, he was smiling and laughing. Luna however was talking with her hands and making ethereal motions through the air. Hermione surmised that it was probably something about Nargles.

"Luna!" Hermione called as she walked toward them. Their reactions couldn't be more different. Luna turned with a smile lighting up her whole face whereas Draco looked up, meeting her eyes with horror. Luna tilted her head and asked quizzically, "Hello Hermione. I thought you wouldn't be in until later for Dark Arts." Draco's head dropped until he was looking at his feet.

Hermione replied, "I'm here all day on a Monday. I've just finished Intro to Magical Law."

Luna said, "I've just finished Diagnostic charms which Draco was telling me he did last year. Apparently, you can adjust the spells to work on all sorts of things. Do you want to know the salt content of your bag? Or perhaps how much bacteria there are in your socks?"

Hermione smiled at Luna fondly, "Maybe not right now. Draco, you did diagnostics last year?"

His eyes flicked up and glanced briefly at her through his lashes. His gaze was pained, and he quickly looked away. "Yes." He muttered and shifted nervously, "I must get to my medical practice tutorial. Owl me if you have any questions, Luna." He walked stiffly away his hands jerking. Hermione stared after him.

"When did you become friendly with Draco Malfoy Luna?" Hermione asked.

Luna tilted her head and mused, "Great pain can sometimes bring people together in unusual ways. He was there for every moment of mine and I for a great many of his. I need to be in room 5C. Where are you off to?"

Hermione just stood with her mouth open. Luna was often capable of great moments of wisdom that you never really understand at the time. It always caught her off guard. She responded, "I'm due to go to the Morgan Le Fay Lecture Hall." She pointed down the long corridor in front of them, "It's down that way."

Luna pulled out a crumpled map and checked where room 5C was. Luna remarked, "They're in the same direction. Let's walk together and you can have a think if there's anything you want me to try my new diagnostic charm on. I for one am very curious to get back home and examine every part of my room. I'm hoping the signs point to Nargles."

They walked off to their respective classes with Hermione still pondering how Draco had ended up in Luna's life.

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